London council wants slice of Bakerloo line extension

Greenwich Council is calling for the Bakerloo line extension to serve Greenwich in the borough’s first ever transport strategy, despite Transport for London (TfL) ruling out the proposal in 2016.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG) is putting its first ever transport strategy out for public consultation this spring after its contents was approved by council members last week.

RBG’s strategy is entirely separate to TfL’s transport plans, and to the mayor’s transport strategy.

As part of its strategy, RBG is calling to extend the Bakerloo line extension down into the borough. Current plans out for consultation see the first phase of the extension, expected to cost roughly £3.1bn, running south from its Elephant & Castle terminus via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate, and stopping at Lewisham.

Bakerloo line extension

Source: Transport for London

A spokesperson for Transport for London (TfL) said the idea to extend it into Greenwich had been explored in 2016 but was ruled out.

However, in TfL’s initial response to its own consultation on the Bakerloo line extension, it said its proposals allow for an extension south or east of the Lewisham terminus.

A spokesperson for RBG said: “This is the first transport strategy for RGB. No feasibility study has been carried out by the Council with regard to exploring the potential for extending Bakerloo line into the Royal Borough, but we are aware of the potential interest shown by others.”

If funding and planning permission are secured for the Bakerloo line extension, construction would begin in 2023 and the line would open in 2029.

RBG’s transport strategy also says it will lobby TfL and other bodies such as Network Rail for a Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension to Falconwood and a London Overground extension to Abbey Wood, further into the borough. TfL said it is carrying out early design and feasibility work on engineering, cost and environmental impact options for the extensions.

A TfL spokesperson said: “TfL and the GLA [Greater London Assembly] are also working with the boroughs to consider how these options could support planned growth in the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area.”

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